Pre-paid mobile phone with temporary voice mail

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing access to a voice mailbox associated with a pre-paid mobile phone subscriber's account after the expiration of the subscriber's credits. A call processing system may be configured to receive a call from a calling party and to connect the call to a voice mailbox system. The call processing system may allow the calling party to record a voice message that can subsequently be accessed by the subscriber for an access fee. The call processing center may also be configured to allow the calling party to add credit to the subscriber's account. Access fees are paid and credits are added to the account by way of pre-paid calling cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, electronic fund transfers.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Application Ser. No. 60 / 518,888, filed Nov. 10th, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully hereinTECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to temporary voice messaging services in a prepaid telecommunication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing temporary voice mail access for prepaid mobile phone customers whose accounts are not associated with an automatic means of replenishing their accounts and whose accounts have expired, through alternative access voice mail systems associated with the customer's account. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A significant number of individuals subscribe to prepaid mobile phone networks for convenience in payment options. Subscribers to prepaid mobile phone networks generally purchase a mobile phone and pay upfront for the amount of credits desired to operate the mobile phone. The credits are depleted through the u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Once a voice mailbox associated with the subscriber's account is established or verified to already exist, the subscriber's phone number may be directly routed to the voice mailbox. When a phone call is placed to the telephone number associated with the subscriber's mobile phone account, the call accesses the voice mailbox system as opposed to accessing the mobile phone directly. In one embodiment, the voice mailbox system is operated in conjunction with an interactive voice response unit. The interactive voice response unit (“IVR”), may act as the host to the system, providing various options to the caller including the opportunity to add credits to the subscriber's account.

[0011] Multiple PIN numbers may be established and provided to the subscriber which may then used by any calling party to access the voice mailbox system. Entry of a PIN number may be required for a calling party to access certain features in the system. One such feature allows the calling party to add credits to the subscriber's account so that the mobile phone number may once again be active and the system may return to its normal operating state.

Problems solved by technology

However, when a subscriber's account reaches a zero balance of credits the mobile phone becomes inactive and becomes unable to place calls, receive calls, or access voicemail features.

However, many persons who use prepaid mobile phones lack credit cards, or are unbanked, and so this option is unavailable to them.

Failure to do so may result in the subscriber losing his phone number, or being charged a fee to “reactivate” the account.

Furthermore, when the account credits lapse, the voice mailbox associated with the account can no longer be accessed by the subscriber.

Furthermore, the lack of access to the subscriber's voice mailbox can have severe negative consequences if the subscriber's family or friends need to contact the subscriber for emergency purposes.

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